1.
The First Chapter
1.
Verses of the Elder Uttara
121.
Those aggregates arise, and pass away again and again.
122.
Escaped from all sensual pleasures, the elimination of mental corruptions has been attained by me."
Thus the Venerable Elder Uttara spoke these verses.
2.
The Verses of the Elder Piṇḍola Bhāradvāja
123.
The body is sustained by nutriment, having seen thus, I practise the search.
124.
A subtle dart, difficult to remove, honour is hard to give up by a contemptible person."
Thus the Venerable Elder Piṇḍolabhāradvāja spoke these verses.
3.
Verses of the Elder Valli
125.
Goes around from door to door, shaking again and again.
126.
You have been restrained by wisdom, you will not go far."
... The Elder Valliyo...
4.
The Verses of the Elder Gaṅgātīriya
127.
My bowl is like a vessel for pouring on a corpse, and my robe is a rag robe.
128.
In the third rainy season, the mass of darkness was split open."
... The Elder Gaṅgātīriya...
5.
The Verses of the Elder Ajina
129.
'He is unknown,' the foolish despise him, not knowing.
130.
Even if he is of bad character, he is honoured by them."
... The Elder Ajina...
6.
The Verses of the Elder Meḷajina
131.
I directly know no uncertainty, in the Omniscient One, the Unconquered.
132.
In the path or in the practice, uncertainty is not found in me."
... The Elder Meḷajina...
7.
The Verses of the Elder Rādha
133.
So lust penetrates an undeveloped mind.
134.
So lust does not penetrate a well-developed mind.
... The Elder Rādha...
8.
The Verses of the Elder Surādha
135.
What is termed the net has been abandoned, the conduit to existence has been uprooted.
136.
That purpose has been attained by me, the destruction of all mental fetters."
... The Elder Surādha...
9.
The Verses of the Elder Gotama
137.
To those who must always be guarded, among whom truth is very difficult to find.
138.
Now we go to Nibbāna, where having gone one does not grieve."
... The Elder Gotama...
10.
The Verses of the Elder Vasabha
139.
He injures himself thoroughly, like a fowler with a decoy bird.
140.
In whom there are evil deeds, he is indeed dark, O husband of Sujā."
... The Elder Vasabha...
The first chapter is concluded.
Its summary:
Ajina and Meḷajina, Rādha, Surādha, Gotama;
With Vasabha these are ten elder monks of great supernormal power.